Games That Aren’t Labeled As “Horror” But Will Still Terrify You

Scary titles that come with the label and petrify you to your core are one thing, but the experience is totally out of the box once you stumble upon a game that’s seemingly not so bad in the “fright” department, but it ends up giving you the creeps either way. I’ve come across a few of these quality titles over the course of the past few years, so naturally, I assumed sharing my thoughts on the matter would help some of you get a kick out of this type of experience. 

Make sure that you read until the end of the write-up for the best results. 

The “Horror” Tag Doesn’t Come On The Box With These Games; It Should

Oh, and in case you’ve also got a suggestion to add to the listicle here, take to the comments below and don’t hesitate to spark a discussion. 

1. BioShock

I really can’t put this into words how much I admire the setting and premise of the original BioShock game. It’s something that starts off in an eerie way, making you suspect that around each corner, something vile and vicious awaits your arrival, thereby stirring up that notion of mystery each time someone sets down to play it. However, the real surprise is how scary this game can be, despite looking like a cool steampunk shooter at first. 

Despite coming out more than a decade ago, BioShock holds up as a terrific first-person shooter with a meaningful storyline keeping players hooked until the end. If you haven’t given this one a go, I suggest you get to it right away. Besides, a new iteration in the BioShock series is coming. You might want to get up to speed on the previous games to be able to fully enjoy the future of the franchise. 

2. Prey 

Coming from a seriously underrated developer with an array of hits under its name, Prey can make you feel afraid of the smallest of things, and that includes a mere towel on the floor that you pounce to swing your wrench at with full force, sometimes missing, while on other occasions, winning the lottery. Those who’ve played the game will know what I’m talking about, and for those of you who have managed to overlook this thriller, do yourself a favor and get after it right now. 

3. Subnautica 

Ah, one of the cornerstones of the topic at hand. Subnautica is a real surprise, you know. The game is played from a first-person perspective, starting off as a mere survival cum exploration-based type of title, but little does one know what really awaits them further into the game. I will keep the spoilers at bay here, but know this: Experiencing Subnautica blindly has a charm of its own, and I highly recommend you get to it that way. 

And as far as immersion goes, this one is right up there at the top of the list for the kind of world it brings to the table, and the efforts you can take to interact with it. 

4. Outer Wilds

I haven’t played a better game out there that handles its progression as remarkably as Outer Wilds. That’s because you don’t go from point A to point B, kill and shoot some bad guys, and then rinse and repeat the pattern until you grow weary, no. The beauty of Outer Wilds lies in knowledge—the knowledge that you gain through making discoveries on your own because the game itself gives you zero direction and refrains from making any extra explanations. 

It’s a video game treasure that does not get recommended enough, that’s for certain at this point, and I really urge you to check it out and see what makes it so scary from time to time as well. 

5. Batman Arkham Asylum

Talk about games that were way ahead of their time when they first came out into the world. Batman: Arkham Asylum is among those titles that took the world by storm with their sheer quality, invoking all sorts of emotions in the person on the other end playing through this masterpiece. But you must be wondering: How does a stealth- and action-focused game make one feel scared? 

Well, perhaps Rocksteady would be able to better answer that, but what I can tell you is: Arkham Asylum is teeming with set pieces that can genuinely make you feel overwhelmed and intimidated with fear, especially with scenes involving the Scarecrow. Pretty unusual, but entertaining all the same. 

6. Metro 2033 Redux 

Lastly, we’ve got 4A Games’ Metro Redux, a first-person shooter that truly sells its atmosphere. Now I know it’s a survival horror game, but so is Resident Evil 4, but that doesn’t frighten you, does it? There’s something special going on with Metro here, and if you play through the levels pertaining to the Library, you’ll quickly find out what I’m referring to.